Learn English – Difference between logo and emblem

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What difference, if any, is there between "logo" and "emblem"?

In particular, should "logo" be used for the Tokyo 2020 design that's attracted accusations of plagiarism, or is "emblem" ok as well?

Best Answer

Perhaps it's not an emblem until the games officially open...

The difference is that "logo" has more of a commercial connotation whereas "emblem" has a more traditional, historical meaning. Perhaps it's a "logo" while the national Olympic committee is still working on organizing the event. Once the games are underway, it becomes a worldwide event and stops being identified just with the committee, and thus the logo 'graduates' to being an emblem.